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According to Plato, the Greek Philosopher, there were actually two goddesses named Aphrodite. Both were female, and both dealt with aspects of love. It is believed that one Aphrodite is older than the other and possibly even older than Zeus, himself.

The first goddess was named Aphrodite Ouriania. Her name meant "heavenly" Aphrodite. She was created when Cronus fought against Uranus. This battle marked the reign of the Titans, which later were dethroned by the Olympians. In this aspect, Aphrodite is actually much older than any of the other Olympians. During the battle, Cronus castrated Uranus and threw the castrated remains into the ocean. Out of the sea foam arose Aphrodite. Her gifts were of the love of the soul and heart as well as beauty.

Aphrodite Pandemos was gifted with the powers to control lust. Her origins were rather plain when compared to those of the other Olympians. Her parents were Zeus and Dione. Dione was the goddess of the female form. Later, Dione was decided to be a form of Rhea, Zeus' mother. There is very little known about this younger Aphrodite, as most myths seem to center around Aphrodite Ouriania.

In either case, Aphrodite was depicted as an amazingly beautiful woman. Their temper rivaled their beauty in most stories. One such story involves a young woman named Psyche. Aphrodite became jealous of the mortal woman's beauty and feared that it rivaled her own. Using all of Aphrodite's wits, she convinced her son, Eros, to shoot Psyche with one of his arrows. He was to make sure that the girl fell in love with the ugliest man in her area. The plan backfired when Eros nicked himself with his arrows. The result was that he fell for the innocent Psyche.

The story goes that Psyche went to see the oracle that told her that no mortal man should have her. The oracle ordered her up a mountain to a cave where she would meet her new husband. Once there, Eros made certain that she was never to light a lamp in his presence. Because of the wings melded to his back, he knew that she would know instantly who he was. It would also alert Aphrodite to what had happened. Psyche agreed and one day told her sisters of the deal she had made. They were jealous and told her that Eros was nothing more than a monster. In the end, Psyche lit a candle, needing to see him for herself. When she did, he woke and told her that he did not believe that she loved him. By this time, she did. He fled and left her on the side of the mountain.

Later, she went in search of

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